President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, and appointed Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the armed forces. The change followed public protests calling for military-command reforms and is significant because Ukraine remains at war with Russia, making the leadership transition consequential for its battlefield strategy and defence modernisation.

Syrskyi’s removal came after criticism of his leadership and a dispute involving former defence official Mykhailo Fedorov, who had alleged that military modernisation efforts were being obstructed. Drapatyi, 43, is presented as a younger, reform-minded commander expected to advance technological initiatives, including Ukraine’s drone-based defensive strategy; Zelenskyy has reportedly offered Fedorov another government role focused on technology.